The Daniel Cormier Show - Sean O'Malley on KNOCKING OUT Song Yadong, Merb Dvalishvili losing to Petr Yan

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

The Daniel Cormier Show: Sean O'Malley on Knocking Out Song Yadong & Merab Dvalishvili Losing to Petr Yan

Date: January 24, 2026
Host: Jacob Goldstein (for The Volume)
Guest: Sean O’Malley (“Sugar” Sean O’Malley, UFC Bantamweight Contender)

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on an in-depth conversation between Jacob Goldstein and Sean O’Malley ahead of O’Malley’s fight against Song Yadong at UFC 324. The discussion explores O’Malley’s growth as an athlete, his approach to setbacks and success, expectations for his upcoming bout, and analysis of division rivals including Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan. The tone blends playful banter with sharp fight insight, offering a raw look at how a star like O’Malley handles the highs and lows of a fighting career.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

O’Malley’s Mindset and Growth in the Sport

• Transition to Openness (04:11–06:11)
  • Jacob commends Sean on his maturity and transparency, linking it to podcasting and increased public engagement.
  • O’Malley shares his philosophy:

    "I'm pretty good at just going with the flow. Like, you know, you win fights, you lose fights. It is what it is. ... It's just a lot healthier, better way to live, just being grateful for what I already have." – Sean O’Malley [04:44]

  • Sean describes his natural inclination toward sharing his life on social media and the importance of not letting others’ opinions affect him:

    "If you can get good at not caring what people think, it's easier to, you know, be more vulnerable and put whatever, you know, whatever you want out there and not care what people are gonna say about it." – Sean O’Malley [05:39]

Handling Defeat, Recovery, and Return

• Rush to Fight Again After a Loss (06:11–07:38)
  • O’Malley admits he tried to rush back after a loss, contacting the UFC just weeks after his previous fight:

    "I called Dana Hunter…let me fight the co main event…That was like a couple weeks after the fight. So I was trying to rush it...I just needed to get that taste out of my...mouth." – Sean O’Malley [06:56]

  • Realizes with time that patience served him better, appreciating the opportunity to regroup physically and mentally.

Preparing for Song Yadong

• Evaluating the Matchup (07:38–09:08)

  • O’Malley expects a mixed attack from Song Yadong, anticipating efforts to grapple and exploit potential weaknesses:

    "I'm expecting to come out and try to…I’m definitely expecting that [wrestling/grappling], that’s what we’re ready for. But if not, great." – Sean O’Malley [08:15]

  • He emphasizes his readiness for any approach but doesn’t discount Song’s striking.

• Expectations Upon Being Offered Song Yadong (08:33–09:08)

  • Sean had no specific opponent in mind but embraced the challenge:

    "I was excited for the matchup." – Sean O’Malley [08:45]

Champion Flip: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan

• Division Shake-up & Sean’s Title Hopes (09:08–10:05)

  • With Petr Yan regaining the title from Merab, O’Malley sees a clearer path back to a championship fight:

    "When Peter won the fight, I had this...boost of energy...I’m one fight away, I’m one beautiful performance away from...fighting for the belt again." – Sean O’Malley [09:37]

  • Discusses potential rematch with Petr Yan or another possible trilogy.

• Thoughts on Yan vs. Dvalishvili Outcome (10:05–11:12)

  • Sean is only “slightly surprised” by Yan’s win:

    "I know how good Peter Yan is...for him to out...he matched his pace and, you know, kind of broke him a little bit." – Sean O’Malley [10:25]

  • Notes impact of travel, injuries, and exhaustion on Merab’s performance:

    “He didn’t look as shredded as he usually does...who knows how much that affected the fight Saturday night.” – Sean O’Malley [11:12]

Perceptions, Prelims, & Superstar Status

• Addressing Social Media “Demotion” Jokes (11:25–12:22)
  • O’Malley clarifies that his comment about “falling off” to the prelims was sarcastic:

    "I said it in a sarcastic, funny way and...everyone...ran with it. But...my stock has not...fallen. It definitely just took a little...standstill. But we're about to get on the rocket ship again." – Sean O’Malley [11:45]

Game Plan for UFC 324: Song Yadong

• Identifying Dangers and Visualization of the Fight (12:22–13:16)
  • Acknowledges Song’s explosiveness and hunger:

    "He definitely presents some issues. And I'm gonna go out there and...in real time, figure him out." – Sean O’Malley [12:34]

  • Predicts Saturday night will bring out the best in both men:

    "The best Song Yadong is going to bring out the best Sugar." – Sean O’Malley [13:01]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On putting yourself out there:

  "If you can get good at not caring what people think, it's easier to…be more vulnerable and put whatever…you want out there."
  — Sean O’Malley [05:39]

• On career perspective after losing:

  "I was trying to rush it...I just need to get that out of my...mouth."
  — Sean O’Malley [06:56]

• On the division changing hands:

  "When Peter won the fight, I had this...sense of a boost of energy...There’s a more clear path back."
  — Sean O’Malley [09:37]

• On learning from setback and not losing superstar status:

  "My stock...has not fallen. It definitely just took a little…standstill. But we’re...about to get on the rocket ship again."
  — Sean O’Malley [11:45]

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Important Timestamps

• [04:04] Sean O’Malley on mental health and maturity
• [05:39] Sean on not caring about public opinion
• [06:56] Sean describes eagerness to return after loss
• [08:15] Fight strategy expectations for Song Yadong
• [09:37] Path back to the UFC bantamweight title
• [10:25] Sean analyzes Petr Yan’s victory over Merab
• [11:45] Clarifying the “fell off” joke about fighting on the prelims
• [12:34] O’Malley assesses Song Yadong’s skillset and how the fight might unfold
• [13:01] Sean’s expectations for a high-level matchup at UFC 324

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Summary

This episode offers a grounded, insightful look at Sean O’Malley’s championship aspirations, reflections on personal and professional growth, and shrewd analysis of UFC bantamweight division developments. O’Malley projects supreme confidence but also humility about the grind and unpredictability of the sport. The episode is a compelling listen for fans interested in the mindset behind world-class MMA, providing context for O’Malley’s next moves and what to watch in his upcoming showdown with Song Yadong.

Transcript

[Michelle Williams]

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[Nav Green]

This show contains information subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up man? It's your boy Nav Green from the Broken Play Podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. Guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play Podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoffs. The Chief it's time to rebuild. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Pod Podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Michelle Williams]

You know we always say New Year, New me, but real change starts on the inside. It starts with giving your mind and your spirit the same attention you give your goals. Hey everybody, it's Michelle Williams, host of Checking in on the Black Effect Podcast Network. And on my podcast we talk mental health, healing, growth and everything you need to step into your next season whole and empowered. New Year. Real you listen to Checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jacob Goldstein]

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[Sean O'Malley]

Feel good. Feel good. It's fight week again here in Vegas. Love being in Vegas. Love fight weeks. Feels good.

[Jacob Goldstein]

You know. You know what I love about you and your maturity in the sport is how every situation, you just own it now. You own everything in every situation. I don't know if partly that's due to you podcasting now so that you're more available to people. How do you think that's helped you in terms of not only coping with winning, losing, like going up and down, but just truly opening yourself up to fans and letting people kind of more behind the curtain as to who Sean o' Malley is?

[Sean O'Malley]

I feel like. I feel like I just. I'm pretty good at just going with the flow. Like, you know, you win fights, you lose fights. It is what it is, I think, being just having you got two kids, a wife, have a good life, and it's like just focusing on that stuff rather than, you know, anything negative. And, you know, it's just a lot healthier, better way to live, just being grateful for what I already have.

[Jacob Goldstein]

So, I don't know, was it a conscious decision? Because I remember as a fighter when I was competing, I wanted to shield so much of my life from people, right? And I was almost like angry when certain things were public. But then when I started to be more open, it did relieve. It was a relief to me. But did you make A conscious decision to do that, or was it just something that just came naturally to you?

[Sean O'Malley]

I think just kind of came natural to me, social media in general. I was like, oh, I'm just gonna kind of post about my life, and I got, you know, more popular. More popular and was like, well, I just, you know, keep doing what I'm doing. But yeah, I mean, I think if. If you can get good at not caring what people think, it's easier to, you know, be more vulnerable and put whatever, you know, whatever you want out there and not care what people are gonna say about it. So I think that's a, you know, important part, is just not letting other people's opinions affect you at all.

[Jacob Goldstein]

So I am a person that talks about the sport constantly, and I will tell you, in the role that I play today, I appreciate it because it allows us to build a better idea who Sean o' Malley is inside the octagon and outside. Because inside the octagon, which you have shown is an ability to compete at the highest level with most. After the last fight, though, how long did it take for you to really not only deal with the fight, but move forward and say, okay, I'm ready to get back into this? Because a lot of fighters, they will rush the moment things go sideways. We gotta fix it, and we gotta fix it today. How long before Sean o' Malley was ready to say, you know what, it's time to get back on that road and start trying to get back to becoming the champion?

[Sean O'Malley]

I was that guy trying to rush. I called Dana Hunter. I said, hey, you know, Max and Dustin and BMF belt co main event fell out, you know, let me fight the co main event. So. And that was like a couple weeks after the fight. So I was trying to rush it, you know. Then a couple weeks went by and I'm like, ah, it's probably good, you know, I. It was able to chill out for a little bit and get back in the gym. But, yeah, I was definitely trying to get. I'm like, I just need to get that out of my. Get that taste out of mouth. I was, you know, I didn't really take much damage. I was in good shape. I kind of wanted to, you know, I didn't want to have to go through another fight camp to get in shape again. So I was like, oh, you try to get another one, squeeze another one out. But, yeah, wasn't able to. Which, you know, I think turned out for the better. And. And now here we are.

[Jacob Goldstein]

And then you get Song Yadong. As an opponent. Right. It's a much different challenge. Right. This is a guy that has shown an ability to stand and trade people. He's shown that he's tough, durable, and he's willing to stand in the pocket and fight. With that being said, though, not many possess the ability of Sean o'. Malley. I could be a striker, Sean, and I would stand and trade with anyone in the world. But if I see you across from me, I would make the game plan to try and take you down or at least clinch you. Do you expect Song to do that, or do you expect the same guy that we are seeing generally when he's in front of people?

[Sean O'Malley]

Yeah, I'm expecting to come out and try to, you know, grab, get a hold of me, push you up against the fence, take me down, you know, you know, mix it up a little bit. So I'm definitely expecting that that's what we're, we're kind of, you know, we're ready for that, but if not, great, but, you know, we're definitely prepared for, for that.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Was that the type of opponent that you expected whenever you were on the way to getting back, like, when you heard songs name, did you go, know what? This is kind of in line with what I thought I would get.

[Sean O'Malley]

Yeah, I mean, I didn't really have at the time. I, I was like, well, I didn't have anybody in mind. And then aan's a hobby called me out and I was like, that sounds, you know, I like that. And UFC said, hey, you, I, I, I reached out, I said, hey, I'll fight a, I want you to fight Song in January. I'm like, all right, so sounds good. So, yeah, I, I was excited for the matchup. Yeah.

[Jacob Goldstein]

You just wanted to fight, though, in a striker. Yeah, yeah. So looking at the division now, right, Murat being the champion was worst case scenario for you. Fyodora Yan wins the belt from him in dominant fashion. A guy that you have a victory over, do you think, Obviously it allows for you to have a clearer path to another championship opportunity, but how much do you think you need to do in order to put yourself back in position to fight a guy in Peorian who you already have a victory over?

[Sean O'Malley]

When Peter won the fight, I had this, you know, sense of a boost of energy and like, okay, you know, there's a more clear path back. You know, I'm one fight away, I'm one beautiful performance away from, from fighting, you know, for the belt again. And me versus Peter is for, you know, me versus Peter Rematch is huge. If the ufc, if, you know, the fans or whatever want to see Marab Peter trilogy instead of, you know, me versus Peter, then, you know, it is what it is. But I believe with the beautiful win, I will get a title shot.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Hey, did you see. You thought I was froze, but that's that thing we do on tv. When we finish, we just kind of stop and we look and wait. I've gotten really good at it, though. Like, you thought I was froze, but I was watching you the whole time. I knew exactly. Was waiting for me to answer. I wasn't frozen. Were you surprised that Pean was able to get through Merab in the way that he did?

[Sean O'Malley]

I was slightly surprised, but I'm also like, I know how good Peter Yan is. I know how good his skill set is. And the first fight they had, his hand was injured. It was in the small cage. Like those play a role, you know, going into a fight. So I was surprised, and I wasn't. I was like, I mean, for him to out, he. He matched his pace and, you know, I've kind of broke him a little bit, but I don't want to say broken because Marv didn't really seem like he was ever out. He was still pushing forward like a beast. And, you know, impressive performance by both guys.

[Jacob Goldstein]

It just kind of looked. It kind of looked like for the first time, Rob got a little tired, and that might be because he fought so much. I mean, honestly, man, you can't. The. The game is so dangerous. You can't. It's hard to play with fire that many times in one calendar year and think you're going to come out clean every time.

[Sean O'Malley]

Yeah, I mean, he didn't look as shredded as he usually does. He's, you know, flying to Georgia and, you know, doing all these extra things. It's like, who knows how much that affected. Affected the fight Saturday night.

[Jacob Goldstein]

You and Song, you're done. Co main event, you said, damn, man, I fell off. I'm on the prelims. Like, why did you say. Why did you say that, man? Like, you know that it's just one phone call to being on the main card for Sean o'. Malley. It's not like you got demoted to the prelims. It was like, let's get people watching early.

[Sean O'Malley]

Yeah, no, I never actually felt like I fell off or anything. It was more of a. More, you know, I said it in a sarcastic, funny way and, you know, stuff gets picked up on in text when I, you know, verbally said it. So I said it in a sarcastic way, trying to be funny, and everyone, you know, kind of ran with it. But yeah, no, I definitely feel like we're. We're still a superstar and I think, you know, we're on this card. I'm on this card, the Paramount card. First one of the year, first one ever for a reason. So, yeah, I feel like my stock is not. It has not fallen. It definitely just took a little bit of a. A standstill. But we're. We're about to get on the rocket ship again.

[Jacob Goldstein]

But if you Saturday night, when you walk into that octown, how does this fight look for Sugar? Shawn o'? Malley, what can Song Dong give you that could potentially be an issue? If there's anything.

[Sean O'Malley]

Yeah, I mean, he definitely presents an issue. He's very, very explosive and fast. Hits hard, confident, young. He's hungry. He wants this. So he. He definitely presents some issues. And I'm gonna go out there and just kind of, you know, in real time, you know, figure him out.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Because every guy wants to give you their best because you're Sean o'. Malley. You are the star of the division, right? So you're going to get every guy's best. With that being said, what does Saturday night look like for Sean o'?

[Sean O'Malley]

Malley? Yeah, I think, you know, the best songidong is going to bring out the best Sugar. So I think, you know, this is just going to be a, you know, very, very high level fight, you know, very high level MMA fight. And I'm gonna get my hand raised one way or the other.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Sermon Mali fights this weekend at UFC 324 in the CO main event against Song Yidong. Make sure you tap into everything he's doing. His YouTube channel is fantastic. And bro, I'm like, I'm like, I'd be watching. I'll be watching y' all YouTube. Y' all do a good job. Watch his YouTube. Tap into Instagram. Everything else Sean O' Malley fights this weekend. Until next time, guys. Like subscribe and tell your friends to tell their friends. I got a YouTube channel. I'm checking in with guys like the Sugar Show. Till next time. Peace. Yo, guys. So, you know, I love to give you guys my picks and these picks are brought to you by our friends at Hard Rock Bet. All you got to do, go and download the Hard Rock bet app. Bet $5. If that bet hits, you get $150 in free. Bonus bets. Yeah, bonus bets. You get bonus bets at Hard Rock Bet. So let me give you three that I think will be good for you. Heavyweights. Heavyweight fights end in knockouts. So Waldo Cortez Acosta vs Derrick Lewis is going to be a knockout. But as we start this Paramount era, there are fun fights that I think will end and they will end early. So I'm saying that Nikita Krylov versus Modestas Bukowskas also ends with a knockout. And lastly, I believe that the main event between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, that's a decision. So go to the Hard Rock Bet app, download it, bet those $5 and if those bets hit, especially this parlay I'm giving you, you get 150 in bonus bets. Go to the Hard Rock bet and tell them that your boy DC sent you.

[Nav Green]

This show contains information subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? This your boy Nav Green from the Broken Play Podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. But guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play Podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoffs. The Chief it's time to rebuild. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Michelle Williams]

You know, we always say New Year, new me, but real change starts on the inside. It starts with giving your mind and your spirit the same attention you give your goals. Hey everybody, it's Michelle Williams, host of Checking in on the Black Effect Podcast Network. And on my podcast we talk mental health, healing, growth and everything you need to step into your next season whole and empowered New Year. Real you listen to Checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jacob Goldstein]

The Volkswagen Beetle started out as Hitler's dream car.

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It wound up as a beloved hippie icon and the best selling car of all time.

[Jacob Goldstein]

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[Nav Green]

And I'm Robert Smith. On business history, we tell the surprising stories behind the inventions and entrepreneurs that shaped our economy.

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[Jacob Goldstein]

It has so much in it, he says.

[Nav Green]

You should be able to mount machine guns on it.

[Sean O'Malley]

Sure.

[Nav Green]

Not for the family vacation, but, you.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Know, for other things. You never know other plans.

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[Jacob Goldstein]

On June 11, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing.

[Sean O'Malley]

Hey, if they'll kill a cop and.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Bury him, what are they gonna do to me?

[Michelle Williams]

What really happened to the missing deputy? Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert.

[Jacob Goldstein]

Listen to Valley of shadows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michelle Williams]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.